Presidential limousines through the years

Presidents have long traveled in style. The latest cars are more secure.

By By AUBREY COHEN

on March 21, 2013 6:39 PM

Photo: New York Times Co./Getty Images

Image 1of/56

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 56

The news that President Obama's limousine broke down in Israel on Thursday added a little levity to a serious diplomatic trip. It also got us thinking about presidential cars.

An Israeli official told CNN that the car was mistakenly filled with unleaded gasoline, rather than diesel. But the Secret Service denied the report, saying the limo actually does run on unleaded. In any case, the vehicle was towed and President Obama took a backup limo.

We've collected a gallery of presidential limousines dating back to 1910. Enjoy. less

The news that President Obama's limousine broke down in Israel on Thursday added a little levity to a serious diplomatic trip. It also got us thinking about presidential cars.

A crowd surrounds President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his mother, Sara D. Roosevelt, as they sit in a convertible during a visit to the Children's Aid Society's 300-acre farm in New Hamburg, N.Y., on Aug. 8, 1933. The Hudson River is in the background. less

A crowd surrounds President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his mother, Sara D. Roosevelt, as they sit in a convertible during a visit to the Children's Aid Society's 300-acre farm in New Hamburg, N.Y., on Aug. 8, ... more

President Dwight Eisenhower leaves the United Nations in New York after a meeting with the Security Council in 1958.

President Dwight Eisenhower leaves the United Nations in New York after a meeting with the Security Council in 1958.

Photo: Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images

President Dwight Eisenhower leaves the United Nations in New York... Photo-4358456.58853 - Connecticut Post

Image 15 of 56

A new custom bubble-top Lincoln limousine is delivered to the White House for President John F. Kennedy in June 1961. According to the original photo caption, it took five months to build to Secret Service specifications. less

A new custom bubble-top Lincoln limousine is delivered to the White House for President John F. Kennedy in June 1961. According to the original photo caption, it took five months to build to Secret Service ... more

Photo: Underwood Archives

A new custom bubble-top Lincoln limousine is delivered to the White... Photo-4358458.58853 - Connecticut Post

Image 16 of 56

But Secret Service specifications didn't include keeping the top closed. Here, President Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy leave San Antonio Airport with Texas Gov. John Connally Jr. and his wife, Nellie, on Nov. 21, 1963. The next day, Kennedy was assassinated and Connally seriously wounded in Dallas. less

But Secret Service specifications didn't include keeping the top closed. Here, President Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy leave San Antonio Airport with Texas Gov. John Connally Jr. and his wife, ... more

President Richard Nixon waves from his limo on the way to his inauguration on Jan. 29, 1969.

President Richard Nixon waves from his limo on the way to his inauguration on Jan. 29, 1969.

Photo: Henry Groskinsky/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

President Richard Nixon waves from his limo on the way to his... Photo-4358490.58853 - Connecticut Post

Image 22 of 56

President Nixon's limo now is parked in the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace in Yorba Linda, Calif.

President Nixon's limo now is parked in the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace in Yorba Linda, Calif.

Photo: David McNew, Getty Images

President Nixon's limo now is parked in the Richard Nixon... Photo-4358711.58853 - Connecticut Post

Image 23 of 56

President Gerald Ford talks to Caroline Kennedy and Sen. Edward Kennedy, daughter and brother of the late President John F. Kennedy, in the back of his limousine during his visit to Lexington, Mass., on April 19, 1975, to celebrate the bicentennial of the first battle of the Revolutionary War. less

President Gerald Ford talks to Caroline Kennedy and Sen. Edward Kennedy, daughter and brother of the late President John F. Kennedy, in the back of his limousine during his visit to Lexington, Mass., on April ... more

John Hinckley Jr. attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981, while Reagan was leaving a speaking engagement at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. Reagan was hit in the chest and was hospitalized for 12 days. Press Secretary James Brady (just behind the car) was paralyzed. Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity. less

John Hinckley Jr. attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981, while Reagan was leaving a speaking engagement at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. Reagan was hit in the ... more

President Bush, sporting a bandaged finger following surgery, speaks about the situation in Panama on Oct. 6, 1989. The United States invaded Panama and ousted dictator Manuel Noriega in December 1989.

President Bush, sporting a bandaged finger following surgery, speaks about the situation in Panama on Oct. 6, 1989. The United States invaded Panama and ousted dictator Manuel Noriega in December 1989.

President Bill Clinton steps out of his limousine at Dallas' Love Field on Sept. 27, 2000.

President Bill Clinton steps out of his limousine at Dallas' Love Field on Sept. 27, 2000.

Photo: PAUL J. RICHARDS, AFP/Getty Images

President Bill Clinton steps out of his limousine at Dallas'... Photo-4358474.58853 - Connecticut Post

Image 39 of 56

First lady Hillary Clinton steps out of the president's limousine to board Air Force One on Jan. 5, 2001 for the flight to the Clintons' new house in Chappaqua, N.Y. Clinton is considered the front runner for the Democratic nomination in 2016, if she decides to run. less

First lady Hillary Clinton steps out of the president's limousine to board Air Force One on Jan. 5, 2001 for the flight to the Clintons' new house in Chappaqua, N.Y. Clinton is considered the front runner for ... more

Photo: Mark Wilson/Liaison Agency/Getty Images, Getty Images

First lady Hillary Clinton steps out of the president's... Photo-4358491.58853 - Connecticut Post

Image 40 of 56

After Washington, D.C., rolled out "Taxation Without Representation" license plates in 2000, to protest its lack of a vote in Congress, President Bill Clinton them put on his limo.

After Washington, D.C., rolled out "Taxation Without Representation" license plates in 2000, to protest its lack of a vote in Congress, President Bill Clinton them put on his limo.

Similarly, here are actors portraying President Franklin D. Roosevelt and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt arriving at Mid-Atlantic Air Museum World War II Weekend and Reenactment in Reading, Pa., on June 18, 2008.

Similarly, here are actors portraying President Franklin D. Roosevelt and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt arriving at Mid-Atlantic Air Museum World War II Weekend and Reenactment in Reading, Pa., on June 18, 2008.

A government limousine hauls furniture from IKEA, in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 16, 2009, four days before President Barack Obama's inauguration.

A government limousine hauls furniture from IKEA, in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 16, 2009, four days before President Barack Obama's inauguration.

Photo: MARK RALSTON, AFP/Getty Images

A government limousine hauls furniture from IKEA, in Washington,... Photo-4358726.58853 - Connecticut Post

Image 48 of 56

President Barack Obama's new limousine sits outside of the White House on Jan. 22, 2009. Nicknamed "The Beast," the highly customized Cadillac reportedly weighs eight tons, is based on a truck chassis, and has a fully-sealed passenger compartment, inches of armor, bulletproof windows, run-flat tires and special shocks to absorb blasts. less

President Barack Obama's new limousine sits outside of the White House on Jan. 22, 2009. Nicknamed "The Beast," the highly customized Cadillac reportedly weighs eight tons, is based on a truck chassis, and has ... more

Secret Service agents hold open the doors on President Barack Obama's limousine alongside Air Force One at Paine Field in Everett on Feb. 17, 2012.

Secret Service agents hold open the doors on President Barack Obama's limousine alongside Air Force One at Paine Field in Everett on Feb. 17, 2012.

Photo: SAUL LOEB, AFP/Getty Images

Secret Service agents hold open the doors on President Barack... Photo-4358841.58853 - Connecticut Post

Image 54 of 56

Remember how George W. Bush opted not to use the "Taxation Without Representation" license plates? President Barack Obama initially did the same. Obama finally agreed to switch plates earlier this year, in the face of a petition that DC Vote posted to the White House website and a unanimous resolution from the D.C. Council. less

Remember how George W. Bush opted not to use the "Taxation Without Representation" license plates? President Barack Obama initially did the same. Obama finally agreed to switch plates earlier this year, in the ... more

Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Remember how George W. Bush opted not to use the "Taxation... Photo-4358850.58853 - Connecticut Post

Image 55 of 56

President Barack Obama exits his limousine to walk during a portion of the presidential inaugural parade on January 21, 2013.

President Barack Obama exits his limousine to walk during a portion of the presidential inaugural parade on January 21, 2013.

Photo: Win McNamee, Getty Images

President Barack Obama exits his limousine to walk during a portion... Photo-4358859.58853 - Connecticut Post